Alumni from around the world gathered in The University of Queensland’s Great Court this week for a ceremony celebrating their achievements and community contributions.
A diverse range of graduates attended the 2017 ¹ú²ú̽»¨ Alumni Awards, which are announced at the annual Courting the Greats ceremony.
Awardees this year included humanitarians, business leaders, researchers and a journalist.
¹ú²ú̽»¨ Chancellor Peter N Varghese and Vice-Chancellor and President attended the ceremony.
This year’s 2017 Vice-Chancellor’s Alumni Excellence Awards were presented to:
- – a business leader and philanthropist who has driven change in the education and resource sectors through hard work and generosity.
- – an industry leader and pioneer of women in finance.
- – a highly decorated nurse and humanitarian aid worker who has provided emergency relief, health care and training in some of the world’s most volatile conflicts and crises.
- – an internationally recognised researcher whose breakthrough work included growing “mini kidneys” in a laboratory.
- – a multi award-winning investigative journalist whose contributions have included some of Australia’s most significant reportage.
Distinguished Young Alumni Awards were presented to:
- – an entrepreneur, Rhodes Scholar and the founder of two successful start-up businesses focused on educational tools and resources.
- – a food systems specialist and educator who runs a world-leading research centre tackling the world’s most profound global food system challenges.
- – a multi award-winning Australian entrepreneur best known for his work as co-founder and chief executive officer of Temando.
- - a researcher and academic who is pioneering collaborative approaches between surgeons and researchers to provide excellent outcomes for patients.
International Alumnus of the Year
- – an advocate for social justice and girls’ empowerment in her home country of Pakistan, through her work in the development sector.
Indigenous Community Impact Award
- – one of Australia’s leading Indigenous health experts and advocates.
Colleges’ ¹ú²ú̽»¨ Alumni Award
- (Emmanuel College 1964 – 1966) – a diplomat, human rights advocate and humanitarian who has had a profound impact on communities around the world through his work with the United Nations and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The ¹ú²ú̽»¨ Alumnus of the Year and ¹ú²ú̽»¨ Graduate of the Year Awards, created and supported by the Alumni Friends of The University of Queensland Inc, included:
¹ú²ú̽»¨ Alumnus of the Year
- - a lawyer and company director who has served as Chancellor, a Senator and is an Adjunct Professor of Law at ¹ú²ú̽»¨.
¹ú²ú̽»¨ Graduate of the Year
- - Bachelor of Pharmacy (First Class Honours) 2016, Valedictorian, University medallist and former Co-Chair of the ¹ú²ú̽»¨ Young Scholars Program.
The ¹ú²ú̽»¨ Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year Awards celebrate sporting excellence and contributions to University life.
Sportswoman of the Year:
- - a world number-one water-skier and the reigning champion of water ski jumping.
Sportsman of the Year:
- - an Olympic medallist who won bronze representing Australia in the Rio 2016 Olympics in the men's 20km walk.
More details of this year’s Alumni Award recipients can be seen .
Contact: Mark Schroder, ¹ú²ú̽»¨ Advancement Communications, m.schroder@uq.edu.au, +61 7 3346 3921.